The Bank of Agriculture(BOA) has introduced a Green Cash Card that will give farmers wherever they are access to its facilities.
The Executive Director, Wholesale Finance, Alhaji Ahmadu Haruna Waziri, while disclosing this at the bank's corporate headuarters, said the Green Cash will key into the cashless policy whereby any of the bank’s clients can transact businesses with minimal cash flow.
As stated by him, it is e-banking system whereby all the clients can do their business with the bank in a fast and secured way within a twinkle of an eye “You can use your mobile phone to transact all your businesses. You can also use internet transaction in addition to other e-banking businesses. It is a platform for us to provide our client a viable service at the remotest village you can get mobile telephone. People who are dealing in little flow of cash can easily be reached.”
“This Green Cash will allow them to access their fund in any part of the country even at the remotest village. We have sent marketers to the field to sensitise the people on the need to key into this concept. Now, we are at the process of recruiting agents that will serve as intermediary between the bank and the farmers. The agents will act as outlet to the services of the bank,” Waziri pointed out.
He explained that each agent will act like a branch and any customer can visit the agent either to deposit cash or withdraw cash without going to the banking hall. “We have different level of agents and the amount they can deal with. Each branch of the bank will coordinate all the activities of the agents”
The renowned agribusiness expert said the first recruitment of the agents will be between one and two per each of the 774 local governments and will be saddled with the responsibility of transacting business with the bank clients without going to ATM stands.
"The idea is that cash can be transfered to our customers through their phone number. The handling of the physical cash will be minimal. Outside the eco system, all other transactions can be done on the phone. The agent will be categorized into silver, bronze and gold the amount they are handling will determine their category."
Waziri also stated that the bank is embarking on enlightenment campaign at the grassroots to sensitise the people on the advantage of the Green e-wallet, adding that when the system is fully operational, it will ease the tension of carrying cash all about for businesses.
“We are backing it with the type of technology they already know like POS, ATM system etc. You can approach the agent and demand for your balance free of charge as long as you are in the Green Card system, he will oblige. It will also provide other services like buying of air time, utility bills etc”